Yellow or Red, It's All the Same

I have a confession to make. I've been spending time with yellow butterflies. Don't get me wrong. I love my red cardinals. They are my #1 sign from above. Yet many people draw upon varying symbols as forms of comfort from their loved ones after death, and they are not always cardinals. These symbols might be blue jays, eagles, doves, ladybugs or butterflies. What do they all have in common? They are beautiful creatures. They are visible affirmations that loved ones are OK. They offer hope to grieving souls.

The reason I've been spending time with butterflies is because I'm editing a wonderful, spiritual book in which they are symbolic. The project I first told you about here has finally come to fruition. Cathy Taylor's Believe It's Possible is a line of merchandise celebrating the Lord. The book is the heartwarming story of Cathy's journey starting back in high school up until now. It speaks of faith, friendship and forgiveness as well as the many struggles she endured along the way. She has products available in the form of jewelry, t-shirts, artwork, and with lots more in the making. On the Believe It's Possible website, you can learn more as well as watch videos of her dear friend Myra's testimony before she passed away and God's glorious night.

This project is extra special to me because Cathy and I have so many similarities and have endured many of the same challenges. She has given me the courage to speak out about some of mine, too. I know it's no accident we were placed together for this; whenever I am on the phone with her about various things pertaining to the book, I spot a yellow butterfly.

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Along with this huge project, I've been busy with the kids. Pete's last semester is upon us and come December he will have obtained his MBA. Wasn't it just yesterday I told you about it? He has also been extremely busy at work, so I've been flying solo much of the time.

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I also have several announcements on recent awards and publications.

First and foremost is my inclusion in Writer's Digest for the second time. In the November/December issue, my nonet When Testosterone Starts Kicking In was published in Robert Lee Brewer's Poetic Asides column.

Second, I won runner's up in a non-contest contest The Missouri Review puts on and had my Barbie sonnet, No One's Perfect, published on their blog!

I have a story about how Pete and I first met published in a book of love stories, Falling in Love with You.

My creative art piece won recognition for New World Creative Union's (NWCU) Wednesday Wake-Up Call mystery challenge. This is an extra special honor because drawing and painting have never really been my thing, but because of the challenge I branched out. I'm very proud of this piece.

Along the same lines, I was invited to be the NWCU's first guest on the premiere of their radio show, The Creative Nexus. I really enjoyed the discussion with Roger and Natasha. In fact, I felt so comfortable that I even opened up about some things in my life.

I also have several poems that have been published. Click here to find a list and where to read them.

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Oh, and when I'm not doing all this? I'm sitting out in the sun trying to get some of my blonde back (just kidding). Read this and you'll know what I'm talking about.

Believe It's Possible: Revealed and Unveiled

The mysterious invitation

Last night I had the privilege of being a part of an unveiling. Of what? I'm sure you're wondering. Well, according to Webster's Dictionary, unveil means to 1. remove a veil or covering from; or 2. make public. Both definitions are applicable to what took place; but before I fill you in, let me backtrack a bit.

Nearly a year ago I met this amazing woman, Cathy Taylor, who not only owns her own business, but designs the exquisite jewelry (and other things) sold there. She was struggling with some of the same issues as me, and when we got to talking I found out she had lost a dear friend, too. Rather than cardinals though, her connection with her friend Myra involved butterflies. We visited several times and then I didn't see her for awhile.

One day Cathy called me from out of the blue. There was a lilt in her voice, a sense of peace I hadn't heard before. She wanted to get together for coffee and so we arranged for a meeting time.

When I saw Cathy again there was a sparkle in her eyes and a smile on her face that truly came from the bottom of her heart. She told me she had been on a Walk to Emmaus, that she had had a spiritual awakening there. All of her burdens had been lifted and she was ready to follow God's plan for her. She didn't quite know what it was yet, but she did know it had something to do with Myra and butterflies. Cathy wanted me to help her with the writing aspect of whatever it would be and I gladly said yes.

It soon evolved into a new line that Cathy would call Believe It's Possible because Myra had been such a positive reflection of faith even in the midst of her debilitating cancer. Cathy and Myra had been friends since high school and Myra had clearly recognized the struggles Cathy had been facing. Shortly before her death, Myra had told Cathy that she would be part of a miracle one day. Little did she know she would be the miracle!

Since then, Cathy has been working hard on this new line. She managed to keep last night somewhat of a mystery to all involved, which has grown to include an artist, a bookkeeper, and much more. These people have been placed in Cathy's life, too. The beautiful thing is that none of us cares about the money aspect of it... we simply want to help Cathy fulfill God's plan for her.

A small section of the beautiful stage

Now back to last night. When I arrived at the church where it took place, I had no idea what to expect. The parking lot was full and I thought I wouldn't know anyone there, yet I walked into the room of people and felt right at home. I saw a few familiar faces. I found a spot in the front and soaked in the splendor of the stage, music, ambiance. Then I saw a friend and went to get her so she could sit by me. We waited in suspense until finally, the show began.

A serene Cathy unveiling her past

What can I say about this amazing evening filled with joy other than it moved me to tears? I wasn't the only one either, according to the sniffs I heard behind me and my friend who was downright sobbing. Cathy unveiled everything about her past with complete candidness. She celebrated her friendship with Myra and the significant role she played in Cathy's recovery even after her passing. Before the night was over, she unveiled the first pieces of jewelry and gave them to Myra's mother, husband and three sons. Myra's legacy would live on through this Believe It's Possible line, the ministry she always wanted.

I can't wait to tell you more, but God is writing the story, you know, and His time can be slow. I promise I will unveil more as it comes to fruition. Until then believe in the power of prayer, believe in the power of miracles, believe in the power of God. Believe it's possible. I do.

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Linked to Scribbling Spiritual Sand: "She (wisdom) is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who retain her." Proverbs 3:18